Get Involved in 2009

It was an honor to be selected to serve as a Tri-Chairman of the FCMA. I am looking forward to working with the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the Staff to achieve the FCMA goals for 2009.

The Ronco Group joined the FCMA several years ago. For a few years, we paid our annual dues and showed up to a few meetings every year. As our participation in FCMA evolved, it became very apparent the value that FCMA could bring to The Ronco Organization. We are now actively participating in workforce development training for our people. Also, the information we receive from the Environmental Health and Safety Committee helps us stay ahead of important issues that affect our business. For me and the executive team at Ronco, the Government Relations Committee helps us on a daily basis stay tuned to issues from the federal, state and local governments that can have a tremendous effect on the bottom line of our business.

I challenge everyone from our Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, our Staff and our Members to promote the value of membership in the FCMA and also to actively participate in meetings and events held by FCMA. Also, it is important that you join one of our FCMA committees that will help to keep our organization strong and sustainable.

No other organization stays as close to federal, state and local issues that affect the manufacturing industry as the FCMA. If for no other reason, that in itself it brings value to all our members. When it comes to dealing with governmental issues — there is strength in numbers. I urge all of you to take that step and get more involved in the association, recruit new members, and help make FCMA the very best organization it can be.

FCMA Welcomed 3 New Members in December!

Harris Lighting
Contact: E.W. Dobel, Sales Manager
Phone: (904) 838-7980
4035 Reynolds Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32043

Established in 1967, Harris Lighting has long been a leader in the design and manufacturing of energy efficient lighting systems. As a complete source of fluorescent systems, Harris offers a comprehensive product line of both new fixtures and retrofit solutions for your energy efficient lighting needs.

Heritage/WestBay
Contact: Jerry Mitchell, Principal
Phone: (904) 354-9600
4811 Beach Blvd, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Business advisors.

Pirtek Phillips Highway
Contact: Steve Goulette, President
Phone: (904) 347-6533
6000 Phillips Highway, Suite 7
Jacksonville, FL 32216

Pirtek Phillips Highway is the area’s foremost on-site hose replacement service. We focus on producing custom hydraulic hoses for both in-plant and mobile applications throughout Northeastern Florida. One of our primary objectives is to reduce our customers’ downtime through our quick responsiveness and top-notch technicians.

Advanced Disposal… The Environmental Industry Associations elected Charlies “Charlie” Appleby as treasurer of its board of trustees. Appleby is chairman and CEO of Advanced Disposal, Inc.

Atlantic Marine… has acquired a Boston ship repair company, a Pennsylvania shipping company and a Mississippi steel and pipe-fabrication company. Boston Ship Repair will now operate as Atlantic Marine Boston, PennShip Service LLC will function as Atlantic Marine Philadelphia and Millennium Solutions Inc. will operate as Atlantic Marine Millennium.

Harden and Associates… has promoted Kathleen Kam to marketing account manager in the employee benefits division. Kam has been with the company for a little over a year.

Precision Standards International… is pleased to announce that 2009 marks their 25th anniversary in business. They would like to thank all of their customers for their loyalty and continued support over the past 25 years.

Stellar… delivered 130 gifts to children and their families at Community PedsCare, a pediatric hospice care program for children with a life-threatening condition.

IS YOUR COMPANY DOING SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY?
Let us know so we can feature you in the next edition of the VOICE newsletter! Send an email to acassidy@fcmaweb.com with all of the details!

FCMA’s Holiday Social was a Major Success!

FCMA’s annual Holiday Social was held on December 4th at the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville. About 200 people attended the event, which was jam-packed with food, fun, and holiday music.

Here are a few photos from the festivities…

For more photos from this event, click here!

The Holiday Social is just one of the many excellent programs organized each year by the Community Relations Committee. To find out more information, click here.

Crenshaw Aide Visits Government Relations

On December 9, FCMA’s Government Relations committee hosted Jackie Smith, the District Director for the Office of Congressman Ander Crenshaw. Jackie briefed the committee on the events leading to Mayport’s nuclear expansion. Members of the committee were treated to a candid explanation, and indepth history lesson, as Jackie provided details and stories of the behind the scenes political dealings that brought us a nuclear carrier to replace the Kennedy.

To find out more information about the Government Relations committee, simply click here.

FCMA’s Legal Trends Workshop

On Wednesday, January 21, the Workforce Development committee will be hosting a Legal Trends workshop featuring a panel of lawyers ready to answer your questions about FMLA, ADA, wrongful termination, discrimination, workers compensation, and other topics. This will be an open and free-flowing discussion where NOTHING IS OFF LIMITS!

Please consider joining us for this one of a kind event. The cost is only $65 for FCMA members. You can RSVP by sending an email to sherri@fcmaweb.com or calling (904) 343-9372.

To find out more information about the Workforce Development committee and future workshops, click here!

Michael Hoseus Comes to Jacksonville

FCMA and the Lean Consortium are proud to present a joint, day-long workshop with Michael Hoseus, co-author of the best-selling book “Toyota Culture”. In this exclusive workshop, Hoseus will define the essentials of a Lean Culture and share his lessons on how to achieve and sustain Lean. Hoseus brings both manufacturing operations and specialization in Human Resource experience he gained in 13 years of corporate leadership at the first fully owned Toyota assembly plant in the U.S. in Georgetown, Kentucky. He is a Toyota Certified Trainer in Global Problem Solving & Waste Reduction, Standardized Work and Kaizen Events.

WHEN: January 27, 2009 - 8am to 4pm

WHERE: UNF University Center

COST: $100 for members, non-members pay $125

To find out more about this event, click here!

Manufacturing Days at the Capital

FCMA will be participating in the Manufacturers Association of Florida’s annual Manufacturing Days at the Capital lobbying trip. Each year, MAF members from around the state travel to Tallahassee to interact with lawmakers on the issues most important to industry. This year, we want to make sure that the First Coast is well represented within the group!

If you, or someone from your company, would like to participate in this unique event please contact Debbie Warren at debbie@fcmaweb.com for more information.

For the agenda, click here.

For the registration form, click here.

To visit MAF’s website, go to www.mafmfg.com

Excellence in Manufacturing Awards

First Coast Manufacturers Association has been recognizing our member companies for excellence since 1992. As such, we are pleased to announce that on February 26, 2009, we will be partnering with the Jacksonville Business Journal to honor companies that are making a commitment to the goals and objectives of FCMA.

Winners will be highlighted in the following areas:

- Manufacturer of The Year
- Associate of The Year
- Founders Service Award
- Education
- Environmental Protection
- Economic Impact

The 2008 awards luncheon will be a highlight of the FCMA year. It will provide an opportunity to recognize truly outstanding companies in our area. And, it will provide sponsors and award winners the unique opportunity to present your message of support of manufacturing throughout Northeast Florida. Come celebrate with us!

For more information or to become a sponsor, contact maria@fcmaweb.com.

Annual Charity Golf Tournament

As part of our commitment to workforce education, FCMA is a strong supporter of the University of North Florida’s Engineering School. To that end, we have created a scholarship to benefit engineering students. In support of that scholarship fund, each year we sponsor a charity golf tournament. This is a fun event that also offers team building and networking opportunities.

So remember to mark your calendars for FCMA’s Annual Golf Outing on Monday, April 20, 2008 at Marsh Creek Country Club. Look for more details in next month’s edition of the VOICE.

Sign-up for Professional Progress in 2009!

Professional Progress grew from conversations of Jacksonville government and business leaders. The Dept. of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Northeast District office and FCMA recognized its employees’ and members’ needs for career development courses on subjects necessary for success and survival in the workplace and created this program. It was designed to provide instruction, interaction and discussion related to skills necessary for success in today’s workplace. Taking the extra steps that many degree programs do not, this program offers courses such as: time/stress management, financial planning, conflict resolution, presentation skills, basic law, civic pride, cultural awareness and overall professional development; as well as providing a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes view of manufacturing on the First Coast.

The class is comprised of students from FCMA members, FDEP, St. Johns River Water Management District, and the City’s Environmental Resource Management Dept. Since its inception in 1997, the program has graduated over 250. Cost is $900 per student (one/company) and class size limited to 25. Classes meet one day per month from March through September (with a kick-off reception held on February 18). Click here for a nomination form and sign up today!

• Welcome Back U.S. Manufacturing - It’s too early to tell whether high fuel prices and the falling dollar will be enough to bring offshored operations back home, but some recent moves suggest it’s possible.

• Putting Waste to Work - With many manufacturing organizations in hot pursuit of lean initiatives or corporate sustainability — or both — waste is on the run.

• The Big None - David Blanchard asks the big question “What would the world really be like if the U.S. auto industry no longer existed?”

• Manufacturing Industry Outlook 2009 - Mitch Garner, president of defense contractor Symetrics Industries, says a focus on improving business development has resulted in substantial annual revenue increases.

Florida Unemployment Hits 7.3%

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for November 2008 is 7.3 percent. This represents 680,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,311,000. The unemployment rate is 0.3 percentage point higher than the October rate of 7.0 percent and is up 2.9 percentage points from the November 2007 rate. Florida’s November 2008 unemployment rate is the highest since June 1993, which was also 7.3 percent. The state’s current unemployment rate is 0.6 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent.

January 26 at Shaw’s Southern Belle Frozen Foods

Founded in 1934 by John R. Shaw Sr. and Mama Shaw, Shaw’s was the first crabmeat processing plant in Florida, and it is still family-owned and operated. The company manufactures a complete line of specialty seafood products, supplying Red Lobster restaurants for over 35 years. This is one tour that you certainly won’t want to miss!

Please dress appropriately with flat, closed-toe shoes if you plan to take the facility tour.

When: Monday, January 26 (4:00 - 6:00 PM)
Where: 821 Virginia Street, Jacksonville
Map: Click here for directions!
RSVP: Click to RSVP by email!

Harvard MBAs Choose Manufacturing!

A recent survey of new Harvard Business School graduates shows that 20% plan to pursue careers in the manufacturing industry! That makes it the third most popular industry, behind Financial Services (45%) and Consulting (20%), but far ahead of other areas like Media and Entertainment (5%), Nonprofit/Government (5%), Retail (3%), and Real Estate (2%).